Who is Faisal Karim Masud? Bangladesh identifies Osman Hadi shooter, imposes travel ban and lookout notice

Who is Faisal Karim Masud? Prime suspect in Osman Hadi killing, now on Bangladesh’s most-wanted list

Bangladesh authorities have intensified efforts to apprehend Faisal Karim Masud, identified as the prime suspect in the assassination of young activist and Inqilab Moncho convenor Sharif Osman Hadi. A Dhaka court has barred Masud from leaving the country, issued a nationwide lookout notice, and imposed a travel ban, as violent protests continue to sweep across cities following Hadi’s death.

Security agencies believe Masud remains in Bangladesh but is frequently changing locations to evade arrest. Multiple investigative teams and enhanced surveillance measures have been deployed to track his movements.

Hadi, 32, died last week in Singapore after sustaining gunshot injuries in an attack in Dhaka on December 12. Two assailants on a motorcycle fired at Hadi while he was traveling in a battery-powered auto-rickshaw. Initially treated at Dhaka Medical College Hospital for severe brain stem damage, Hadi was later transferred to Singapore General Hospital, where he succumbed despite intensive medical care.

The assassination has triggered nationwide unrest, with protests, violent incidents, and heightened anti-India rhetoric ahead of Bangladesh’s February 12, 2026, parliamentary elections. Authorities have promised decisive action against those responsible.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “India continues to keep a close watch on the evolving situation in Bangladesh. Our officials remain in touch with the Bangladesh authorities and have conveyed to them our strong concerns at the attacks on minorities. We have also urged that the perpetrators of the barbaric killing of Das be brought to justice.”

Hadi was a prominent figure in Bangladesh’s 2024 student-led uprising, serving as spokesperson for Inqilab Mancha and preparing to contest the Dhaka-8 constituency in the upcoming elections.

Faisal Karim Masud is a former leader of the Chhatra League, the now-banned student wing of the ousted Awami League, the political party of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Investigators allege that Masud infiltrated Sharif Osman Hadi’s election campaign before carrying out the attack. Masud is accused of opening fire while riding as a pillion passenger on a motorcycle driven by another suspect, Alamgir Sheikh.

Masud was previously arrested in connection with an armed robbery at a Dhaka school, during which police recovered a foreign-made pistol. He was later released, a detail now under scrutiny amid public anger. Before the assassination, Masud reportedly told his girlfriend, “It would be something that would shake the entire country… Something will happen tomorrow (on Friday), that the whole country will tremble,” according to Dhaka-based media reports.

A Dhaka court has barred Masud from leaving the country, and authorities continue to track his movements as they attempt to apprehend him in connection with Hadi’s killing.